prisons, jails and y2kwho will be responsible?

Has anyone gotten 'hard' info about how the prison population will be maintained/controlled? I have written to our y2k state administrator for the prisons and jails requesting info about this concern. Three weeks later and I've not even received an acknowledgement, let alone some kind of answer.

I'm sure we're not the only place to have a state prison, don't most states have some kind of prison?

If food, utlities etc. are disrupted what will be the problems keeping prisoners accustomed to t.v., sports, libraries, etc., controlled? Are there embedded chips in the door locks, manual overrides?

Please, no possible horror stories, I can create those all by myself. I really would be very appreciative hearing about contingency plans that might be in place in your area.

Answers

I attended a recent Y2K community meeting in Anamosa, Iowa.
Unfortunately, the scheduled representative from the state prison
located there was unable to attend. I do not know why - no reason was
given.

However, one of the other panelists said he had spoken with someone at
the prison and was assured that 'the doors would default to closed.'

A good laugh was had by all and then they moved on to next topic of
humor.

Here's what I would have liked to have heard a prison
representative say:

"The state prison in Anamosa is required at all times to maintain the
capability to 'go it alone' for a 30 day period. This includes backup
electrical power, food, water, heating facilities and other such
items. Specific to Y2K, we are extending this capability to a minimum
of six months. We are also making provisions for the safe and adequet
housing and transportation of prison staff and their families should
that be required. Further, the Anamosa state prison will be under
strict lockdown from December 1999 through February 2000 to facilitate
the maintenance of the prison population during the critical rollover
period. The prison staff has been working closely with state and
federal officials to identify potential risks and develop contingency
plans where necessary."

Though this meeting was sponsored by two local banks, the failure of
the prison rep to show up combined with the treatment of the subject
as a joke by the other panelists did not exactly inspire confidence.

That has been one of my concerns, too. I am wondering what will be
done with prisoners if the grid goes down for a LONG time. Prisons
can be expected to have a back up generator, but without fuel, that
won't last long, neither will stores of food for an entire prison
population. If indeed we suffer a #10, or even close, my fear is that
the prison doors will be opened because of the inability to feed the
inmates.

My guess,,,if it's near a 10 the non-violent prisoners will be released and the violent will " be taken care of ". Why turn guys like Manson ( charlie lives just down the road from me at Pelican Bay ) lose just to have to deal with him again? I think the death penalty will be greatly expanded and appeals cut to one. ( some thig like " no,,please ",,,bang! )

Dear CT: an insider at a CA prision whom I know has "heard" of
certain emergency execution orders that are quite like your scenario.
However, what WOULD happen if the backup power & supplies run out?
Would the security personnel even show up for work after the 1st 2 or
3 weeks of lock down? What would you do? Stay home, right? I live
within 20 to 50 miles in any direction of a correctional facility. We
have our own contingency plan in case the doors don't lock shut.